Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has acknowledged internal divisions within the Linda Mwananchi movement, saying its members hold different political views, belong to different political parties and have varying ambitions ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Onyonka said senior members of the movement are engaging younger politicians to help manage their differences and maintain unity as the group develops its political strategy.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Thursday, September 17, 2026, Onyonka said some members do not share the same political ambitions, creating challenges as the movement seeks to establish a common political direction.
“We are talking to the younger politicians, and we are telling them to learn from our mistakes. As Babu Owino is rising higher in office, people are now realizing that he has to move to a steady ship and not be a rebel riser. Babu (Owino) can wait,” Onyoka said.
Onyonka said he is among the older politicians in the movement and has previously offered advice to Embakasi East MP Babu Owino based on his experience across several election cycles.
The senator said senior members are also working to improve relations between Owino and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, whose political ambitions have featured prominently in discussions within Linda Mwananchi.
“We will try and work on Babu, his relationship with Sifuna. They do not have a fight as per say its the people making noise. We are working on their relationship. We believe that once we sit with Kalonzo and the team things will be well,” Onyoka stated.
Onyonka also pointed to differences between Saboti MP Caleb Amisi and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, saying competition over political influence in Western Kenya could contribute to fragmentation within the wider political grouping.
“Caleb Amisi is having an issue with Natembeya because they come from the same place. Some people say that Amisi had the intention to run for governor, and Natembeya showed support for Sifuna, who became the people’s darling in Western, and as a result, Amisi, because of the rivalry, decided to form his own political party,” he said.
He said Linda Mwananchi remains vulnerable to what he described as political “infiltration” because of the differing personal ambitions of its members.
“The ups and downs, the noise you see, some of our members are going to be infiltrated, people will be given money, but there are fewer of us who are not going to compromise,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Onyonka maintained that the movement is committed to working as a unit and is preparing a manifesto that will outline its political agenda.
“Some of us are not trying to play opposition politics because it is beautiful. We just feel the country is going the wrong way. We are in the process of drafting the manifesto. They have finished the blueprint and it is not in the final draft,” he noted.
Onyonka said Linda Mwananchi also plans to hold a retreat to address outstanding issues, including discussions on its preferred presidential candidate within the wider United Opposition.
The remarks come amid increased political activity among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 General Election. Sifuna has publicly expressed his intention to pursue the presidency, while other opposition figures, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua and Fred Matiang’i, have also been associated with discussions around the 2027 presidential contest.
The reported differences between Sifuna and Babu Owino have also attracted attention, although Onyonka said the two politicians themselves do not have a direct fight and that disagreements have largely been amplified by their respective supporters.
